New strategy, vision and values for Waikato DHB

The strategy ensures the organisation is heading in the right direction, focusing resources in order to make a difference and making the most of new opportunities.

Chief executive Dr Nigel Murray explained: “Our old strategy dated back to 2006 and a lot has changed since then. We are facing increasing health demands from an aging population and large numbers of patients with long-term conditions like diabetes. It’s really important that we prioritise the competing demands on our resources so we can meet these huge healthcare challenges.”

Under the new vision of Healthy People. Excellent Care, sits a mission statement: Enable us all to manage our health and wellbeing. Provide excellent care through smarter, innovative delivery.

Under this sit six key strategic imperatives:

Health equity for high need populations

Safe, quality health services for all

People centred services

Effective and efficient care and services

A centre of excellence in learning, training, research and innovation

Productive partnerships

Below these are a number of priorities to help us achieve these imperatives.

We also have five core values with a theme of People at heart: Give and earn respect; Listen to me talk to me; Fair play; Growing the good and Stronger together. These values were developed from staff surveys and feedback about what staff felt were important to them.

Waikato DHB Chief Executive Dr Nigel Murray

Dr Murray said: “Our new vision – Healthy People. Excellent Care means we will support people to stay fit and healthy in their communities. However, if people do need health and care services we treat them quickly, expertly and in a caring and fair way.”

Over 60 per cent of the Waikato DHB’s population lives rurally and 23 per cent are Maori. These people have poor access to services and poorer health outcomes.

Dr Murray said: “We need to do things in a much smarter and more innovative way and make the most of new technology. We need to break down the barriers that stop Maori, those living in poverty, people in rural communities and those with disabilities from keeping well.

“We need to drive healthy life choices like getting vaccinated or not smoking, and intervene early to stop people getting sicker. We need to make sure that when people do need treatment they get the most effective and efficient care in the safest environment.

“And we need to stop doing things that don’t make a positive different in people’s lives. We want to work closely with all healthcare providers in the community like GPs, midwives, residential care homes and charities so we can all have a big impact on people’s health and wellbeing. Everyone must have the same fair opportunity for a healthy life no matter who they are or where they live.

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